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Rycois
Blessed with 2blue/2pink
Member since 12/05 13341 total posts
Name:
J
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Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
Forgive me, I'm not a little kitchen-impaired. I can follow a recipe, but I don't do it often and I rely on Iavarone for a lot of my get togethers 
So Christmas Eve we are hosting. 13 people total. Please teach me a) how to make a turkey and b) finish the rest of the menu
Pardon my stupid questions!
1) We have a 16lb turkey. When should I put it in the refrigerator to defrost in time for Christmas Eve?
2) How long will it take in the oven? Temperature? Please give me a step by step on how to prepare  Yep, I'm horrible.
Other menu items - we'll have baked ziti and maybe penne ala vodka - I know it's a lot of pasta but leftovers are a good thing in my house
For turkey sides - please recommend simple fresh vegetables to make (we are a family that uses those steam bag veggies for dinner  )
Baby carrots - Just boil?
Mashed potatoes - Boil, then mash adding butter and milk?
Mixed green salad
Other easy, yet yummy, suggestions ???
Thank you, thank you 
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Posted 12/14/10 12:10 PM  |
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jerrysgirl
I love my hot dog!!
Member since 6/06 5357 total posts
Name:
E & J
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Re: Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
turkey... i would defrost in the fridge at least 3 or 4 days.
ususually cook at 350 for 15 minutes per pound. so 4 hours. some people tent it. i don't, unless it looks like the skin is burning.
broccoli or cauliflower are good steamed.
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| Posted 12/14/10 12:14 PM |
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IAMMRSBROWN
3 under 2!!!
Member since 10/10 2476 total posts
Name:
Carey
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Re: Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
for the turkey you can make an herb butter and rub it under the skin and over the skin .. when you put it in the pan put some stock (chicken or turkey) on bottom with some pats of butter. Baste the turkey with these juices..
For sides you can make Paula Deens corn casserole .. so good!
Mashed potatoes: I use red skin potatoes. wash and cut into halves or quarters .. drop into boiling water and boil until soft .. drain them. return to pan and add butter and either milk or cream. I also add cheese sometimes (white american) .. salt and pepper to taste..
maybe string beans with almonds? or sauteed spinach? these are easy ..
Good luck!
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| Posted 12/14/10 12:23 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
roasting veggies makes everything better.
do you get any cooking mags?? I think bon appetite has some great fast and easy turkey and sides recipes.
but yeah, carrots, olive oil, salt, pepper oven while turkey's cooking will leave you with many more fans than boiled carrots.
I agree with the PP about turkey defrost and cook temp/time.
since you are having so much pasta, maybe do a mash cauliflower insteand of potato (steam cauliflower, mash with milk and butter and maybe some parma cheese and tiny touch of nutmeg???)
also, while your oven is on...brussel sprouts halved, olive oil, diced pancetta, salt and pepper mixed up in a roasting pan, oven....cook until tender and pancetta is crisp.
Message edited 12/14/2010 12:31:25 PM.
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| Posted 12/14/10 12:29 PM |
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MrsInglima
LIF Infant
Member since 10/09 110 total posts
Name:
Lila
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Re: Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
For sides,
-I like to saute up some asparagus with 1 tbsp of butter and 2 tbsp of olive oil and some nutmeg.
-Plain corn with some butter generally works.
-I've got a REALLY easy recipe here for butternut squash and blue cheese*
-Here's another for orange cranberry sauce *
-This is another easy one for roasted peppers, onions, and potatoes*
-Three different quiches
The ones with stars are super super super easy, although the others are easy too, just not super super super easy. Haha.
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| Posted 12/14/10 1:59 PM |
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Rycois
Blessed with 2blue/2pink
Member since 12/05 13341 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
Thank you! How often do you baste it while cooking?
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| Posted 12/21/10 11:54 AM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
I would also put an orange in the cavity of the turkey. Cut it in half (with peel) and toss it in.
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| Posted 12/21/10 2:21 PM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
i used an oven bag for my first turkey and it came out great. no need to baste and came out juicy.
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| Posted 12/22/10 9:59 AM |
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Momma2Be
Mommy of an angel
Member since 10/09 5911 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
If you are up for it and have the time, I LOVE Alton Brown's recipe for roast turkey which includes brining the turkey from the night before. It comes out so moist and juicy. I've been using this recipe for the past 3 Thanksgivings and have gotten a ton of compliments.
Recipe from Foodnetwork
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| Posted 12/22/10 8:12 PM |
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Momma2Be
Mommy of an angel
Member since 10/09 5911 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Holiday hostess virgin with some questions!
Posted by IAMMRSBROWN
Mashed potatoes: I use red skin potatoes. wash and cut into halves or quarters .. drop into boiling water and boil until soft .. drain them. return to pan and add butter and either milk or cream .. salt and pepper to taste..
This is how I make mashed potatoes also.
I also have a very easy spinach recipe. It's a copycat of the Boston Market creamed spinach:
Ingredients:
• 1O oz. can of cream of celery soup
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 4 tablespoons butter
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• 20 oz. frozen chopped spinach, cooked & drained
• 1 small diced onion
• salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
In saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions with one tablespoon of butter. Add soup, remaining butter, flour, garlic salt, salt and pepper and stir with whisk until smooth. Add spinach and heat through, stirring.
As for the carrots, I would definitely go with roasting rather than boiling!
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| Posted 12/22/10 8:17 PM |
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